Vintage buildings that housed vintage cars
and the cars will be here Sunday
06/21/2012 1:42 AM
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There are a lot of old automobile showrooms from the early part of the 20th Century on South Michigan Avenue from 24th to 14th Streets, some abandoned or seen their better day; and some rejuvenated into thriving businesses or nifty loft homes. South Loop Neighbors hosted a tour of the buildings on Wednesday evening. The only thing missing was the cars.
There are buildings that sold Marmons and Maxwells, Hudsons and Fords, Locomobiles and Cadilllacs. One after the other after the other. The buildings are like big jewel boxes--and all have evidence of big ground level picture windows that allowed visitors to peer in and see shiny autos on marble floors.
It's a miracle that so darn many are still there, mostly unabused and in good shape. Whether development continues on these blocks as it has been, slow and steady--from gyms and banquet halls to multi-level lofts--or if it turns into a new Music Row, as news stories suggest, is anybody's guess. But each and every building has a story. A story of a premier architect hired by an automobile manufacturer to build a building that would lure moneyed buyers to seek out their wares.
On Sunday from 10 to 4, those interested in the history of automobiles in Chicago will be able to experience the full picture when 19 vintage cars will be displayed on Prairie Avenue in front of the Glessner House at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue. (By the way, John Glessner, who built the landmark home, bought a Pierce Arrow in 1906 from a dealer at 1321 S. Michigan.)
Here's a list of the cars that will be on view:
1910 Ford Model T Touring
1912 Maxwell Special 36 H.P. Touring
1919 Haynes Light 6 Touring
1925 Ford Model T Touring
1927 Pierce Arrow Series 80 Roadster
1929 Packard 8 626 Sedan
1930 Cadillac V16 Sport Phaeton
1930 Alfa Romeo 6C-1750 Zagato Roadster
1930 Stutz SV16 Weymann Monte Carlo
1931 Packard 840 Sport Roadster
1931 Pierce Arrow Model 41 Dual Cowl Phaeton
1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Phaeton
1931 Lincoln
1931 Packard 840 Sport Landaulet
1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II Brewster Town Car
1933 Auburn Sedan
1935 Auburn
1935 Plymouth Sedan
1936 Cord 810 Sportsman
Glessner House will also offer tours of Motor Row and Glessner House. It's all free.